DS News Webcast: Monday 7/18/2016

Results from the Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey conducted through the National Association of Realtors show roughly three-quarters of surveyed households still believe now is a good time to buy a home, but there's a significant gap in morale between homeowners and renters and about half of those with student debts are unsure about taking on a mortgage.

NAR's survey results showed the homeowners and renters who believe now is a good time to buy are sitting at 82 percent and 62 percent, respectively, as of March 2015. The share of homeowners has remained at a consistent rate since December of 2015. The share of renters, though, has fallen 6 percent, and renters under the age of 35 were the least confident that now is a good time to buy. Those surveyed in the West were also found to have the lowest percent believing now is a good time to buy.

According to a new poll conducted by New York-based consulting firm Douglas E. Schoen, which polled a thousand potential voters for this November's presidential election, a broad unrest is highlighted in the perception of the American housing market, where would-be buyers distrust banks and feel like the system is rigged. 53 percent of Americans surveyed said a home was too difficult to buy and the largest single group feeling left out of the picture was Hispanic respondents at 78 percent. Despite the disillusionment in Schoen’s findings, 58 percent of voters still believe that homeownership is both a good investment with financial benefits.